Denmark is not a very popular country as a job destination among migrants from Europe. That is why foreigners coming to this country are often surprised by the lifestyle of its inhabitants, which distinguishes them from other Europeans. Despite the fact that Denmark has a land border with Germany – it is a part of Scandinavia. What are the costs of living in Denmark – in this exceptionally picturesque country? Check it out!
Costs of living in Denmark: entry and staying
When crossing the Danish border, foreigners should have one of the following documents:
- ID card
- passport
- temporary passport
It is worth knowing that the legal stay in Denmark for jobseekers in this country is 6 months. Whereas, the stay for tourist purposes may not exceed 3 months. After this period, you should immediately register your stay in the nearest branch ICS (International Citizen Service) or SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration).
Detailed information on how to apply for an extension of stay in Denmark can be found at the following addresses:
How to get to Denmark?
| Mode of transportation | Short description |
| Plane | Traveling by plane to Denmark is one of the cheapest and fastest transport options. Low-cost airlines offer air connections with Denmark in the price range starting from EUR 8.29 (if you fly from Poland) Airplanes (from Poland to Denmark) usually land at the two largest Danish airports, i.e. Copenhagen Kastrup and Billund Airport. |
| Ferry | Foreigners can use the route from Poland:Świnoujście-Copenhagen via Ystad(carrier name: Polferries) The ferry, departing from Świnoujście towards Copenhagen via the Swedish city of Ystad, departs 4 times a day. The average price of a one-way ticket is EUR 106.22 It is possible to transport trucks, cars, as well as people traveling without a vehicle. |
| Car | Follow the directions for Szczecin and Neubrandenburg, keeping the course towards Lübeck and continuing to the German-Danish border. On the Poland-Sweden-Denmark route, drivers will cross the Öresund Bridge, which connects Swedish Malmö with Copenhagen. There is a fee for crossing the bridge of course (EUR 49 per car) |
Costs of living in Denmark versus earnings
Regardless of whether we are going to Denmark for a short time or intending to stay longer in this country, we should remember that the costs and living conditions here are similar to other Scandinavian countries. So they remain at a higher level than in most European countries.
This has a direct impact on earnings. As in Sweden Sweden and Norway Norway, there is an extensive social system, financed by high taxes. This means not only equal opportunities for all members of the community, but also a similar standard of living.
Here below, you can find out what benefits you are entitled to in Denmark. Important! The amounts are quite approximate as applications for individual benefits are considered individually.
| Social benefit | Approximated amount of the benefit |
| Family | from DKK 966 to DKK 4,653 (€ 129 – € 630) per quarter. The amount depends on the age of the child |
| Maternity | max. DKK 3,113 per week (€ 418) |
| For the unemployed | max. DKK 650 per day (€ 90) |
Costs of renting an apartment in Denmark
Let’s start with the costs of living in Denmark – accommodation. When renting an apartment, we should be prepared for amounts ranging from DKK 7,000 to 11,000 (EUR 940 – 1,500) for a medium-sized two-room apartment outside the capital (prices in Copenhagen are of course much higher). And prices for a studio apartment in Denmark start from DKK 5000 (EUR 670).
Half of the price will cost us to rent an apartment from a commune, which operates in every city, but the standard will usually be lower there than in apartments rented from private owners.
It must be remembered that if we decide to rent ourselves, we will have to pay a deposit, which will be at least three times the monthly rent.
Practical tips on how to rent an apartment in France
Costs od living in Denmark – Food
Prices in stores are not the lowest. But even the lowest Danish salary allows you to maintain at a good level without having to make drastic cuts in the household budget.
Costs od living in Denmark – Food prices
| Product | Sample price |
| Bottle of water – 0.5 liter | DKK 3 (EUR 0.4) |
| Loaf of bread | DKK 18 (EUR 2.4) |
| Milk – 1 packet | DKK 12 (EUR 1.6) |
| Potatoes – 1 kg | DKK 10 (EUR 1.35) |
| Eggs – 20 pcs | DKK 39 (EUR 5.20) |
| Tomatoes – 1 kg | DKK 10 (EUR 1.35) |
| Chicken breast – 1 kg | DKK 60 (EUR 8) |
| Banana – 1 pc. | DKK 3 (EUR 0.4) |
Popular grocery stores in Denmark:
What is worth trying in Denmark?
- Smorrebrod – Danish meat sandwich made of dark grain bread smeared with butter. Additionally, it can include pickled cucumber, egg, smoked herring and vegetables.
- Frikadeller – pan-fried meatballs made of minced meat
- Limfjords-porter – dark licorice-flavored beer with a creamy foam
- Carlsberg beer – a global brand of beer produced in Copenhagen
- Local cheeses
- Sweets with anise
- Various types of bread (sourdough rye bread is a traditional and irreplaceable dish on a Scandinavian table)
- Aebleskiver (Danish mini-donuts)
Interestingly! The offer of Danish restaurants does not include the first course, i.e. soup. The Danes always choose meat because, according to them, to prepare the soup it is too time-consuming.
Costs of living in Denmark – Transport prices
Intercity connections are served by trains and buses. However, mini buses which are popular in many countries, there are none in Denmark. The cost of a monthly ticket for public transport in Denmark is DKK 1,300 EUR 174).
Roads in Denmark are kept in excellent condition. If we are going there with our own car, we have to remember that fuel prices vary depending on the time of the day. It’s best to refuel on Thursdays in the evenings.
In this way, we can save the equivalent of several tens of pennies on each liter.
Trains have separate carriages for a specific category of travelers.
This means that there are often separate compartments for children, for young people or for those with… talks are not allowed. Of course, there are also those available to everyone. The carriages are described in Danish and English.
Taxis are definitely luxurious means of transport. The starting price is DKK 50 (EUR 6). For each kilometer in the normal tariff, we will pay approximately DKK 15 (EUR 2).
That is why the bicycle remains the most popular one. Almost every Dane has it, there are public rentals in the cities, the cost of renting for a day is approx. DKK 300-650 (EUR 40-90 ). In Copenhagen itself, we can also choose the underground transport – DKK 36 / approx. EUR 5 (the cost of the ticket includes all underground routes).
Work and earnings in Denmark
Denmark is a unique country in several respects. First of all, Danes do not have a fixed minimum wage. Moreover, the issue of wages, rates, hours worked or holiday leave is determined by an agreement between the Danish Employers’ Confederation and the Trade Union Federation.
Only the rates for drivers engaged in cabotage and combined transport have been set in advance. This rate may not be less than DKK 163 / hour gross (EUR 22). And as from March 1, 2022, the minimum wage which applies to production workers is DKK 127 (EUR 17).
The lowest national rate in Denmark usually starts from DKK 110 / hour gross (EUR 15) and from DKK 37,300 / month (EUR 5,000).
The average salary in Denmark is around DKK 40,000-50,000 per month (EUR 5,400 – 6,700).
Below you can see some examples of rates without knowledge of a foreign language.
| Occupation | Gross hourly rate |
| Work in production | DKK 110-120 (EUR 15–16) |
| Work on the farm | DKK 110 DKK (EUR 15) |
| Cleaning | DKK 110-130 (EUR 15–17) |
The rates in other industries are as follows:
| Occupation | Gross hourly rate |
| Roofer | DKK 175-180 (EUR 23-24) |
| Car mechanic | DKK 170 (EUR 22) |
| Warehouseman | DKK 150-170 (EUR 20-22) |
| Greenhouse worker | DKK 130-140(EUR 17-19) |
| Sanitary installation fitter | DKK 170-190 (EUR 20-25) |
| Plumber | DKK 180-190 (EUR 24 -25) |
| Mechanic | DKK 160-170 (EUR 21-22) |
| Builder | DKK 150-160 (EUR 20-21) |
If we add to this the relatively low price of services such as the Internet (approx. DKK 200 / EUR 27) or a telephone subscription (approx. DKK 43 / EUR 5), we must admit that every job in Denmark allows you to maintain yourself at a fairly decent level.
What are the Danes like?
The Danish mentality is typically petty-bourgeois. Flaunting the wealth of your own wallet is not welcome. Here applies the so-called Jante’s Law, which requires minorities to conform to the majority. The purpose is to minimize any tensions that may arise in a multicultural society.
Danes are kind to foreigners, but distanced. They take work, social functions and professional responsibilities very seriously. They always try to be punctual and they appreciate this feature very much also among newcomers. They are supporters of minimalism and a slow lifestyle.
Working in Denmark can be a great solution, especially for professionals who are in great demand there.
The culture and openness of the inhabitants make it worth visiting this country even for a short time, and perhaps it will convince us to stay for longer.
Are you looking for a job in Denmark? Check out the latest job offers!
